Surveillance strategies for colorectal cancer need improvement

A microsimulation model shows that surveillance for colorectal cancer recurrences yields suboptimal detection rates post-surgery.

Over 5 years, recurrence rates were 9.5% for colon cancer and 38% for rectal cancer, with 82.5% and 85.5% detected, respectively.
Detecting one recurrence requires 148 CEA tests, 37 CT scans, and 21 colonoscopies for colon cancer, versus 31 CEA tests, 8 CT scans, and 4 colonoscopies for rectal cancer.

Optimizing surveillance can enhance early detection and improve patient outcomes.

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.

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